October 15- Birthday of the first boxing World Champion

Created: 08 October 2012

On October 15, more than 150 years ago, was born the first ever boxing world champion John L. Sullivan. Also, on the same day were born a few more great fighters

John Lawrence Sullivan was born 1858 in Boston, Massachusetts, to the Irish immigrant parents. In 70's-80's of the 19-th Century, John has travelled by railway all around the States and offered the money to anyone who would fight him in bare-knuckle fight. Sullivan had won over 450 fights and earned the nickname "Boston Strong Boy". After the winning of number of best-known America's bare-knuckle fighters, on August 8, 1887, in Boston, by local authorities, Sullivan was presented the champion's belt which was inscribed Presented to the Champion of Champions, John L. Sullivan, by the Citizens of the United States, and centerpiece of that was featured of the US, Irish and British flags. But the fight which is considered as the turning point in boxing history, because it was the last bare-knuckle fight and after this Sullivan was internationally recognized as the first World Champion, took place on July 8, 1889 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, against the Englishman, Jake Kilrain. The fight was scheduled on 80x3 min rounds and collected 3000 spectators. During the match looked like Sullivan is going to lose, especially when he vomited in 44-th. But then the champion got his second wind and Kilrain's corner threw the towel in 75-th! His first defense of the title Sullivan made only 3 years later, on September 7, 1892, in New Orleans, Louisianna, against another Irish-born American, James J. Corbett. This time fighters has weared the gloves. Corbett was younger and much more technical and schooled boxer, he was dominating most of the fight, before knocked Sullivan out with the big left in 21-st! After the retiring, Sullivan continued his various carriers outside boxing such as stage actor, celebrity baseball umpire, sports reporter and the bar owner. John L. Sullivan died in Boston, on February 2, 1918, he was just near his 60. Today the world's first boxing world champion would celebrate his 156-th Birthday!

Dick McTaggart was born 1935, in Dundee, Scotland. He is considered as the greatest Scottish and one of the best British amateur boxers. In 1956, in Melbourne, McTaggart became Olympic lightweight Champion, in the finals beating The German, Harry Kurschat, he also was awarded with Val Barker's Trophy as the best Olympic boxer! In 1960, on Rome Olympics, Dick won the bronze, at the semi-finals losing to the next champion Kazimierz Pazdzior of Poland. In 1961, in Belgrade, McTaggart won the European Championships, but in 1964, in Tokyo, this time at light-welter, in quarter-finals, he lost to the future 2-time Olympic Champion, the great Pole, Jerzy Kuley. Dick never turned pro, but as amateur he had record of 634-24, which is really unique marker. Today Dick McTaggart celebrates his 79-th Birthday!

Charles "The Hatchet" Brewer was born 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1997 he won the vacant IBF super-middleweight title, which he successfully defended for three times. In October, 1998, Brewer lost his belt to The German Sven Ottke, by the very doubtful decision. Two years later they meet again and Brewer lost again, and again by the questionable scoring. In 2002, Charles fights for the WBO title, but by the unanimous decision lost to Joe Calzaghe of Wales. Charles Brewer retired in 2005, with the record of 40(28 KO)-11(5 KO). Today "The Hatchet" is 45!

Anthony Joshua, in the full name Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, was born 1989 in London, to Nigerian parents. 6'6 feet tall he is boxing at super-heavyweight (over 91 kg) division. He won the silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, in the finals losing to Magomedrasul Medzhidov of Azerbaijan, by the very close decision. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Joshua brought gold for Britain, in very tough fight at the finals beating Olympic and 2-times World Champion, The Italian Roberto Cammarelle. Today Anthony Joshua is fighting professionally and already earned his first International title. This year Joshua celebrates his 25!